Foldable Hinge Cam Assembly for High Torque in Thin Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As electronic devices with flexible displays become thinner, the diameter of the elastic member in the hinge assembly decreases, leading to a reduction in driving force and potential driving force loss due to misalignment between the rotation axis and the operating axis of the cam structure.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a compact design and minimal components, featuring a hinge bracket, slider, pair of reference cams, rotation rails, rotators, and an elastic member, which provides a large driving force while maintaining a small size, and includes a slider with sliding protrusions and an arc-shaped rotation cam to prevent driving force loss during power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of the electronic device is decreased, then the device becomes thinner and more compact, but the diameter of the elastic member must be decreased which leads to a reduction in driving force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the linear force transmission path into a rotational cam mechanism. The cam structure converts the elastic member's linear elastic force into rotational motion, creating a mechanical advantage that amplifies the driving force. This dimensional transformation allows a smaller elastic member to generate sufficient driving force for the hinge assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the cam profile geometry (radius, curvature, engagement angle) to maximize force transmission efficiency. By carefully designing the cam parameters, the system achieves high mechanical advantage while maintaining a compact structure, allowing the smaller elastic member to generate adequate driving force despite the reduced device thickness.
2Ease of operation
If the rotation axis of the hinge assembly is different from the operating axis of the cam structure, then the hinge can function, but driving force loss occurs during power transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotation rail as an intermediary component between the cam structure and the rotator. This rotation rail acts as a mediator that transfers motion from the cam's operating axis to the hinge's rotation axis, ensuring efficient power transmission while accommodating the necessary axis misalignment. The rotation rail converts the cam's rotational output into the appropriate rotational input for the hinge assembly.
3Device complexity
If a compact hinge assembly with minimal components is designed, then the device size is reduced and component count is minimized, but maintaining large driving force becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The slider incorporates both the cam follower function and the rotation rail function in a single component. The rotator integrates the hinge rotation mechanism with the cam engagement structure. This merging of functions reduces the total component count while maintaining the mechanical advantage needed for sufficient driving force.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam structure serves multiple purposes: it stores elastic energy, generates rotational motion, provides mechanical advantage for force amplification, and accommodates axis misalignment through its profile design. This multi-functionality allows the compact hinge assembly to maintain large driving force with minimal components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hinge assembly maintains a high driving force and compact size, reducing component count and preventing power loss, enabling smooth operation of foldable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to provide an elastic force in a direction in which the reference cam and the rotation cam press each other
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a display, a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge assembly configured to connect the first housing to the second housing and operate between a folded state and an unfolded state, wherein the hinge assembly may include a hinge bracket, a slider slidably connected to the hinge bracket and including a pair of reference cams and a pair of rotation rails configured to define a pair of hinge axes, a pair of rotators rotatably connected to the slider with the pair of hinge axes as centers, respectively, and both including a rotation cam configured to interoperate with the reference cams, and an elastic member configured to provide an elastic force in a direction in which the reference cam and the rotation cam press each other.